The present work focuses on lanthanum manganite-based materials obtained by citrate (LaMnO3 and La0.6Sr0.4MnO3) and Pechini (La0,6Ba0,4MnO3) methods. The influence of the addition of barium and strontium is studied. The surface properties of LaMnO3, La0,6Ba0.4MnO3 and La0,6Sr0,4MnO3 powders are investigated by means of XPS using a standard Al K source. Besides the wide scan spectra, detailed spectra for the La 3d, Mn 2p, O ls, Sr 3d and Ba 3d regions and related data are presented and discussed.(C) 2009 American Vacuum Society.